• Begin by knowing that the people you’re talking to mostly want to talk about themselves.
  • Establish common ground.
  • Say kind, generous things to your conversation partner.
  • Keep your comments brief.
  • Get back on common ground again as soon as you can.
  • Don’t brag unless you do it in a funny way.
  • Unless you’re specifically asked about it, don’t talk about religion at all.
  • The same goes for politics.
  • If you talk about current issues, do so in a genial, friendly way.
  • Make whatever points you need to make in a hurry, and then leave.
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